MasukOLIVIA My heart, which had been a trapped, frantic bird, suddenly stilled. He began to walk. The crowd parted for him without a word, without a command—just the sheer force of his presence pushing them back like a tide. His boots were quiet on the stone floor, but each step echoed in the silence that had fallen over the room. No one dared speak. No one dared breathe too loud. He walked straight past Brenda, who still had her hand pressed to her reddened cheek, eyes wide with shock. Past Lupiter, who stood frozen, her own cheek marked from my slap, mouth open like she wanted to say something but couldn’t find the words. He didn’t look at them. He didn’t look at anyone. He stopped only when he stood between me and Eric. Right there. A wall of muscle and fury and leather and storm. Killian didn’t speak at first. He just looked at Eric, and the disdain in his eyes was colder than the winter wind. And whatever Eric saw in those stormy eyes made him take one involuntary step
OLIVIA The next night came too fast. The pack house was alive with music and laughter for the grand banquet. It was supposed to be a celebration before the moon festival, with Alphas and Lunas from nearby packs coming to visit. The air was filled with excitement and anticipation. But for me, it felt like walking into a trap.I sat on the edge of the bed, staring at the wall. Madison was pacing in front of me like a caged animal, her elegant gown swishing with each furious turn. Her face twisted with anger. I had recounted my visit to Father’s office—how he wanted me to publicly apologize to Lupiter and Eric at the festival, swear my loyalty, and live as a servant. It was all a deal to make me look bad one last time.“That’s bullshit,” Madison stopped, facing me. Her voice was a low, dangerous snarl. Her eyes, usually warm and bright, were flashing with the fierce gold of her wolf. “Your father is a monster. How can he do that to you? Make you beg in front of everyone? It’s cruel.”
OLIVIA The walk to my father’s office felt like a chain as we walked down the hallway to Father’s office. Lupiter steps were quick and sure, but mine were slow and shaky. Every time I moved, the blisters on my skin pulled and burned. My legs felt like jelly, and my head was still fuzzy from the fever. The maids followed behind us, whispering like this was some game.We stopped at the big wooden door. Lupiter knocked once, then pushed it open without waiting. She always did that—like she owned everything.Father sat behind his large desk, papers spread out in front of him. The room smelled like old books and cigar smoke, the same as always. He looked up when we came in, his grey eyes cold and hard. He didn’t even glance at my bruises or the way I was limping. He just looked disgusted, like I was dirt on his shoe.“Lupiter,” he said, his voice warming a little. “My girl.”She let go of me and ran to him, hugging him tight. “Father.”He patted her back, smiling. “You look good beautiful
OLIVIA The next morning, the small room felt almost safe. Madison had stayed with me through the night, dozing in the chair by the bed. She had the pack healer bring ointment for my snake bites and a bitter tea for the fever. The tea helped a little. The fog in my head was fading, but the pain was still a constant, heavy blanket over everything.I was propped up on the pillows, trying to sip more water, when the door to the room flew open without a knock.Lupiter stood in the doorway, a vision of perfect cruetly. She wore a flowing pink dress and her hair was beautifully styled. Behind her trailed three girls—the omega maids, the lowest-ranked members of the pack who did all the worst work. They kept their eyes on the floor, their hands clasped nervously.“Good morning, sister,” Lupiter chirped. “I thought I should come check on you. See how our… guest… is caring for you.” She swept into the room as if she owned it, which in her mind, she did.Madison, who had been reading by the win
OLIVIA “Oh, my god,” Madison breathed. She didn’t hesitate. She rushed forward, her hands coming up to my face but stopping just short, afraid to touch the mess of bruises and cuts. “Olivia, what have they done to you?”Tears, hot and sudden, flooded my sore eyes. I didn’t have an answer. I just shook my head weakly, a tiny movement that sent fresh pain shooting through my jaw.Madison’s expression changed. The shock hardened into something else. Something fierce and angry. She looked from my face to the ropes biting into my wrists.“This is insane,” she said, more to herself than to me. She reached for the knot around my wrists, pulling and tugging, trying to loosen them.“Hold on, hold on, I’m getting you out—”“Hey! You! Step away from her!”Amos’s grating voice echoed across the square. He was stomping over from the shadow of the pack house, two guards with him. He looked annoyed, arms crossed.Madison didn’t jump. She turned slowly, putting herself slightly between Amos and me.
OLIVIA POV The room was suddenly too full of noise, too full of angry faces. Lupiter’s sobs, Eric’s shouts, the growl of the crowd. I tried to push myself up on the bed, my body screaming in protest. I opened my mouth. I had to tell them. I had to say it was a lie.But the words were a dry whisper, lost in the storm. “I didn’t…”Eric didn’t even look at me. He was holding Lupiter, stroking her perfect golden hair as she cried fake tears into his shirt. He cut me off before I could even start.“Enough!” he roared, his voice silencing everything. His eyes, when they finally landed on me, were not just angry. They were ice-cold. “You attack the blessed one? You draw her blood?” His face was twisted with hate. He punched the wall so hard it cracked, his knuckles splitting open, blood dripping.“Eric—” Lupiter whimpered, playing weak.He quickly scooped her up like she was made of glass. “It’s okay, baby. I’ll fix this.”I tried to sit up more, but my body was too weak. “I didn’t do it!







